Tribe, while caring for our planet’s health, it is very important that we give enough attention to our health and wellness. But, what if I tell our Tribe of nature lovers that there is a great way of taking care of your body and mind via Nature, that is called Eco-therapy.
Especially during the self-quarantine period, when we are all stuck at home to stop the spread of COVID-19, we need this eco-therapy more than ever to keep ourselves strong inside out.
1. Eat healthy and sustainable
We are what we eat, so it’s very essential to have a healthy diet. If we choose to eat sustainably, we all can have nutritious food, while taking care of our environment and society. Read our complete guide to sustainable eating and choose your food wisely.
2. Routine & Keep Moving
For a healthy body and mind, it’s very important to have a daily routine. Better to rise early, have a morning routine, which should also include taking a shower. Morning shower seems insignificant especially when you are not going out but it can boost your mental health. Also, make sure to include some daily exercise. You can choose what you like can be even dance, not necessary exercises and weights. As long as you keep moving, it helps the body to release endorphins one of our happy hormones.
It is also essential to have enough good night’s sleep and a night routine, which can help us sleep better. Enough sleep is very essential for good health, it energizes, helps to heal and recover body and brain, boosts the immune system. Try stress relievers before sleeping, you can also read or write a diary, etc. Only make sure to stay away from electronic devices and caffeine before sleeping.
3. Help Others
One Harvard research found out that helping others and giving back to society is one of the biggest reason behind long term happiness, I call it sustainable happiness, read here. So make sure to help someone, it can be someone who is in trouble or assisting elderly people or volunteering for a cause or just random acts of kindness daily or even helping animals. By giving back to society in your capacity, you will contribute to social sustainability.
4. Spend Time Outside
Make sure you spend time outside every day. It could be anything ranging from creating your sit spot outdoors or going on camping, hiking or taking regular strolls and long walks outdoors, nature meditation, physical exercise in the natural environment, volunteering in nature conservation & clean up activities. However, remember when venturing outdoors, it’s each one of our responsibility to leave nature clean. Read our guide here, how to keep the environment clean when visiting outdoors.  
When housebound, don’t think that you can’t take Eco-therapy. You can always use your backyard, terrace, balcony or just open your windows and let the fresh air and sun enter your home.
Â
Now, why it is so essential to spend time outdoors? To increase the level of vitamin D intake you need to spend some time in Sun (jus be mindful of the time of the day and how much sun exposure and use sun protection accordingly). It is very People who don’t expose themselves to little outdoor sunshine often suffer from depression, which is because of insufficient vitamin D. Spending time outdoors will also help in reducing anxiety and stress significantly. You can read some more tips about the benefits of eco-therapy on Wellness Mama.
As a new mother, I faced my own motherhood challenges. But I practiced regularly spending some me-time close to Nature and it significantly helped in getting my strength back and to improve my mental health, read here about my personal experience of outdoors me-time.
5. Bring Nature Into Your Home
We have already seen the benefits of spending time outdoors but in many urban spaces, it is difficult to find a tranquil nature spot to enjoy outdoors and relieve stress. Some people even complain they don’t have enough time to have this outdoor exposure in their hectic routine. Then why not to bring a slice of nature to your home?
Create an urban jungle by creating a container garden in your backyard, porch, terrace or balcony, here are some tips for growing a container garden. If you don’t have any private outdoor space, you can even create a tiny garden in your window. Plus you can always bring nature indoors by having some indoor plants to brighten up your space and can improve indoor air quality as well. The plants add positive psychological effects. So create your own nature spot or happy space for eco-therapy.
Do you know even flowers can improve your mental wellbeing? Natural floral scents and the beauty of flowers definitely uplift anyone’s mood. Now if you are a creative person you might like to learn arranging flowers but flower arranging can actually help us enter into a parasympathetic state which moves us from flight or fight into relaxing and reset mode.
When we, sustainability professionals design a building for improving occupant mental health and wellness, the importance is given to outdoor space and outdoor views in healthy building design. That’s why it’s important to have both outdoor exposures as well as have a slice of nature at home.
6. Pick Up A Hobby
Learning something new always helps our mental health. When we learn a new skill, we challenge our brain and keep it active. Scientists say, by keep trying something new, can protect us from dementia. So Tribe, try to learn something new like painting or learn a musical instrument, dance or why not learn something which could help to save our planet? I am sure our Tribe would love that. These hobbies and new skills won’t just help to contribute to environmental protection but also help in keeping your family’s wellbeing.
We can take up a new hobby which helps us in a sustainable lifestyle, it could be sewing, where you can sew reusable cloth bags out of old clothes and reduce plastic bag pollution. Here is one simple idea to repurpose an old pair of jeans. Or you could learn pottery and start making your own plates, bowls, cups and stop buying plastic or unsustainable alternatives. You could take an interest in DIY or carpentry activities and start repairing broken things at home instead of buying new ones. You can let your creativity flow and think of reusing waste and make items from your trash which can further be used at home. You can even try making your own non-toxic cleaning products like us. Alternatively, anyone will like to try some beauty recipes from the kitchen?
7. Meditate & Relieve Stress
While we focus so much outward, we also need to create a connection with our inside self. Take time out to look inward, observe your breath, feelings, see them from distance to know your self a little better. You can yoga, breathing exercises, meditation for relieving stress and anxiety. This reflecting, pondering and observing helps so much for mental health and developing mindfulness so it’s very important to find a few minutes every day to practice it regularly.
8. Disconnect to Connect
Lastly, go device-free! These digital devices are so useful in maintaining wellness, you can count your steps, calories, watch a lot of helpful youtube videos and tutorials, follow fitness and yoga influencers. But still keep them away, stay away from constant swiping on mobile devices and i-pads and never-ending temptations of social media. Instead use the devices to connect with your loved ones, friends-family. If you remember an old friend, reach out to them and have some meaningful conversation. Spend some quality time with your family to create some beautiful memories. These simple pleasures of life are one the most precious. Set a device-free time in your daily routine and use it to connect with people in your life.
I hope you liked our healthy body and mind tips and you will give a try to eco-therapy. Do let me know how it goes Tribe, share your experiences!